Introducing Internet-Based Services in the Mountain Areas of Nepal: An Asset Pentagon Perspective

Øystein Sæbø, Devinder Thapa

Abstract

Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) projects can only be considered successful if they lead to some kind of individual, social, or economic development. The benefits of introducing ICT4D projects in developing countries are yet to be realized, particularly those introduced in mountainous and remote areas. Our study addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing the Nepal Wireless Networking Project from the mountain areas in Nepal using the assets pentagon model (APM). The main contributions of this work are threefold: First, we illustrate and discuss the use and usefulness of introducing APM, addressing the call for more clarity as to how ICT4D projects add to development. Second, our study expands the research knowledge of the relationships among various capital assets. Finally, our study reports on an ICT4D project from the mountain areas of Nepal, representing a country and an area that have been scarcely reported in our research community.